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“He’s a better signer now that he comes,” said Chloe through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.

The pair now knows more games to play together — a version of ‘sharks and minnows’ is a favourite — and eagerly list the names of new friends they’ve made at the Toronto day camp. They talk to their parents more at dinner now, too.

“It helps us know more signs and know how to sign more everyday,” Lucas said.

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The siblings are two of 81 kids, some deaf and some with deaf relatives, who’ll attend the camp this summer. Aside from time learning ASL, the campers also swim, play games and meet prominent members of the deaf community.

Silent Voice is one of 52 day camps that are supported by the Star’s Fresh Air Fund.

The fund was started by Star founder Joseph Atkinson in 1901 to get Toronto kids out of the sweltering summer heat and give them a real camp experience.

The Silent Voice camp has been running for more than 40 years. Some of the kids are the third generation of their family to attend, while a few counsellors are former campers themselves. To program director Mike Cyr’s knowledge, it’s the only day camp of its kind in Canada.

Regardless of the campers’ needs, all are welcome, Cyr said. Thanks to donations, lower-income families can also send their kids at lower rates.

“They’ll come for a few weeks to meet other kids like them . . . you feel accepted,” said Cyr through an ASL interpreter.

This year, the campers will take field trips to places like the Art Gallery of Ontario and Canada’s Wonderland.

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“We would never be able to afford a trip like that without the Fresh Air Fund,” Cyr said.

Many campers, such as 10-year-old Adam Elises, come back year after year.

“My mom made me come here (the first time),” Adam said with a wide smile.

“This year I wanted to come by my own decision because I love this camp.”

Goal: $650,000

To date: $554,377

How to donate: With your gift, the Fresh Air Fund can help send 25,000 disadvantaged and special needs children to camp. The experience gives these children much more than relief from summer heat; it gives these children a break in life and memories to last a lifetime. Our target is $650,000.

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